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| combatant2 = | commander1 = Jack Stevens | commander2 = Hatazō Adachi | strength1 = ~ 13,000 men〔The Australian 6th Division had been converted to the jungle division establishment with a complement of 13,118 men, which was approximately 4,000 fewer than a standard Australian division. Palazzo 2001, p. 184.〕 | strength2 = ~ 30,000–35,000〔Coulthard-Clark 2001, p. 251.〕 | casualties1 = | casualties2 = }} The Aitape–Wewak campaign was one of the final campaigns of the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Between November 1944 and the end of the war in August 1945, the Australian 6th Division, with air and naval support, fought the Imperial Japanese 18th Army in northern New Guinea. Considered a "mopping up" operation by the Australians, and although ultimately successful for them with the Japanese forces cleared from the coastal areas and driven inland, amidst difficult jungle conditions, casualties from combat and disease were high. With Japan on the verge of defeat, such casualties later led to the strategic necessity of the campaign being called into question. == Background == In 1942 the Japanese occupied the Aitape region in northern New Guinea as part of their general advance south. On 22 April 1944, however, United States Army forces landed and recaptured the area. Following this it was developed as base from which to support the continuing Allied drive towards the Philippines. As preparations began for this drive, it was decided that defence of the area would be passed to Australian forces in order to release the American troops for service elsewhere.〔 Consequently, in early October 1944, troops from the Australian 6th Division along with some support personnel from the 3rd Base Sub Area began to arrive at Aitape to relieve the American garrison. The first unit to arrive was the 2/6th Cavalry Commando Regiment and they began patrolling operations almost immediately.〔Long 1963, pp. 275–276.〕 The Japanese troops in Aitape consisted of approximately 30,000 to 35,000 men from the Japanese 18th Army. This force had suffered heavily during the Salamaua-Lae campaign in 1943–1944, as well as its failed attack on the American garrison at Aitape in July 1944. As a result, the Australians believed that they faced three Japanese divisions—the 20th, 41st and 51st Divisions—which had been reduced to brigade-strength.〔Allied intelligence estimated Japanese forces in the region to be between 24,000 to 30,000 men. Keogh 1965, p. 401.〕 The Japanese lacked air and naval support, and many troops were sick and short of food, with resupply efforts being limited to occasional deliveries by aircraft or submarine.〔Odgers 1988, p. 179.〕 In contrast, the Australians were better equipped, better fed and had better medical and other support services. They also had a moderate amount of air support, which was provided by No. 71 Wing RAAF, which included Nos. 7, 8 and 100 Squadrons, equipped with Beauforts, while aerial reconnaissance was provided by Boomerang and Wirraway aircraft of No. 4 Squadron.〔Long 1963, p. 275.〕 A naval force, known as Wewak Force, supported the landing at Dove Bay, and included HMA Ships ''Swan'', ''Colac'', ''Dubbo'' and ''Deloraine'' as well as ships from the 1st New Guinea M.L. Flotilla,〔Gill 1968, p. 628.〕 under the command of Bill Dovers, captain of ''Swan''. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Aitape–Wewak campaign」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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